7/11/2020 Posted On: 7/13/2020 By: MountainBuhn Info: Easy drive. One of the few dirt roads that has actually gotten better over time (last year had larger ruts). Definitely gets crowded. Definitely bring water as this area is lower (8,800) and much more desert climate. Kept some bleach in the car as it deters bear smells. Didn't hear of any more reports after last week. Surprisingly low amount of mosquitos. Warmer spring this year probably the cause. | ||||
7/7/2020 Posted On: 7/7/2020 By: davedad Info: Smooth sailing on the drive in a Prius. I wanted to give people a heads up about a trailhead bear. We were gone for 2 nights and returned to a break-in. We left an empty cooler in the car. There was no food in the car but the bear must have seen the cooler and equated it with food. The bear broke a rear window and explored the interior of the car. Nothing but sandy paw prints and some shredded cardboard left behind. Be thoughtful and leave nothing in your car. (We had a car with no food in it and still got stung.) | ||||
6/20/2020 Posted On: 6/20/2020 By: IHikeLikeAGirl Info: Overall, the road is in great condition, passenger cars can make it to the TH. But yes, pay attention to a few dips or a rock in the road (ALL avoidable). Friday night, the parking lot appeared to fill up, quickly. Outhouse is awesome, but has a pile of trash in it (thank you to the inconsiderate/selfish people who left it...yes, sarcasm), no TP, and appears to be in need of a cleaning. | ||||
5/27/2020 Posted On: 5/27/2020 By: Unknown Info: Smooth as butter. Easy 2WD. Outhouse is open but bring your own TP. Cell service at TH parking area | ||||
5/10/2020 Posted On: 5/10/2020 By: stickmann Info: Road is open all the way to the trailhead. No snow left. There is a short section about 0.3 miles before the trailhead that has some pretty big bumps/divots to navigate and might be difficult for low clearance vehicles until it is filled in. | ||||
3/1/2020 Posted On: 3/1/2020 By: Unknown Info: Gate closure still in effect 1 1/4 mile from TH. Bathrooms still open with TP. Muddy/icy in the beginning and variable conditions following to 10k. Backpacked in and booted to 11k at the head wall without needing snowshoes or traction. This will differ depending on the boots you use. Snow gets deeper after the creek crossing with limited water filter options. Turned around early due to several decisions | ||||
8/25/2019 Posted On: 9/3/2019 By: JakeByk Info: Definitely want clearance but good with AWD. There are some weird dips in the road 2/3rd the way up which are timed just perfectly that if you're not super careful you can bottom out. Closest I've come to bottom-out; I drive a Forester. There are bathrooms at the trailhead (bless). | ||||
6/3/2019 Posted On: 6/3/2019 By: wintersage Info: Ditto previous post. The dirt road is a little bumpy with some maybe-avoidable holes that might make it tough for 2WD, but it is generally mellow and accessible. | ||||
5/19/2019 Posted On: 5/19/2019 By: clairekm Info: Gate is open and the road is dry | ||||
2/11/2019 Posted On: 2/11/2019 By: jscully205 Info: Theres a locked gate located about mile before of the summer TH parking lot. I pulled off to the side of the road and started there. | ||||
12/18/2018 Posted On: 12/19/2018 By: mikefromcraig Info: An average passenger car with decent tires could make it to the trailhead. The majority of the road is dry. The bathroom at the TH is unlocked. | 1 |
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8/6/2018 Posted On: 8/6/2018 By: ibgordo Info: Road to the trailhead is in very good shape. 2WD will make it with ease. The trail to Willow Lake is also in very good shape and completely clear. The bear that was raiding camp sites at Willow Lake was killed and removed by rangers on 8/3/18. Please continue to hang your food so this doesn't happen again... | ||||
7/1/2018 Posted On: 7/1/2018 By: thurs Info: It's definitely easy 2WD right now. I blazed up there in a low clearance minivan at a decent speed. At 10:30pm on a Friday there were still some spots. At 3pm on Saturday, there were no spots and people parked a good ways down the road. Keep that in mind. According to the register at the TH, the bear is still active and breaking into people's tents at Willow Lake! | 1 |
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6/28/2018 Posted On: 6/30/2018 By: stratton42 Info: Made it easily in a Toyota Prius. There were some rocks/ruts that were easy to see and navigate around or straddle. There is an active bear near the willow lake campsites. The bear ripped my partners pad, tent and sleeping bag we assume because he was looking for food. My partner tore his site down before the assent thinking the bear would leave it alone if it were packed. I left my site set up and the bear left it alone. The bear is not afraid of people. We were able to chase it off by banging rocks or camp pots together. You MUST hang your food or bring a bear proof container. | ||||
6/25/2018 Posted On: 6/25/2018 By: BenThom11 Info: Made it all the way in my Honda Civic with no difficulties. Many other low clearance cars were there too, including a mustang. |
